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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-03-13-RTB DRAFT Town of Ulysses Regular Town Board Meeting March 13 , 2012 Present : Supervisor Roxanne Marino ; Councilpersons Elizabeth Thomas, Lucia Tyler, David Kerness, Deputy Supervisor Sue Poelvoorde; Environmental Planner Darby Kiley, Highway Supervisor Jim Meeker, Historian Nancy Dean, Zoning/Planning Secretary Robin Carlisle Peck. Absent: Kevin Romer Public : Diane Hillman, Bill George Supervisor Marino called the meeting to order at 7 : 00 p.m. She stated the agenda had been sent as well as other documents to review at the meeting . She asked if the members had their items . They acknowledged they did. She distributed the agenda to the public attendees . REVIEW RULES OF PROCEDURE FOR MEETINGS Ms . Marino stated after the last meeting she reviewed the structure and determined the Board needed to follow the procedure for successful meetings . The basics she would like to mention are the length of time allocated to specific items, need to approve the agenda at the beginning of the meeting, if the Board would like to continue discussion a motion to continue should be made, members need to raise their hand and be acknowledged by the supervisor before speaking, members should not speak simultaneously, Board decorum should be in place at all times, be respectful of each other. She stated she would like to present the agenda with an addition of Nancy Dean the Historian after the Village Representative . Ms Tyler stated she had requested the policy as presented by the Association of Town magazine be put on this agenda. She appreciates how full this agenda is but would insist this be added as the first item at the next meeting . The members agreed this should be reviewed. APPROVAL OF MEETING AGENDA Ms Marino moved, seconded by Ms Thomas the following : BE IT RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of Ulysses approve the agenda with additions for the meeting 03 / 13 / 12 . Ms . Marino aye Ms . Thomas aye Ms . Tyler aye Mr. Kerness aye Adopted BUDGET MODIFICATIONS Ms Marino presented the following modifications with explanations . A Fund Appropriation line 1110 .4 Town Justice CE increase $ 11 , 847 . 00 Appropriation line 1011 . 1 Admin Asst PS increase $ 2, 176 . 00 Appropriation line 1220 . 11 Deputy Supervisor PS increase $ 2 , 176 . 00 Appropriation line 1910 . 4 Unallocated Insurance increase $ 325 . 00 Appropriation line 7310 . 1 Youth Prog PS increase $ 2, 175 . 00 $ 18,699. 00 1 Revenue line 0599 Approp Fund Balance increase $ 11, 847. 00 increase $ 2, 175. 00 increase $ 325. 00 0599 Approp FB total increase $ 14,347.00 Revenue line (new) 2680 Insurance Recovery increase $ 4,352 . 00 $ 18 ,699 . 00 i : 4 Ms Marino moved, seconded by Ms Thomas the following : BE IT RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of Ulysses approve the budget modifications as presented. Ms . Marino aye Ms . Thomas aye Ms. Tyler I aye Mr. Kerness aye Adopted APPROVAL OF CLAIMS Ms . Marino made the motion, seconded by Mr. Kerness the following : BE IT RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of Ulysses approve the vouchers numbered 63 to 120 for a total of $44544 . 88 for 2012 . i Ms . Marino aye Ms . Thomas � aye 1 Ms . Tyler aye Mr. Kerness aye Adopted APPROVAL OF MINUTES Ms Marino presented the minutes as edited by Ms . Poelvoorde for the 1 -23 - 12 STB , 2- 14- 12 RTB , and the 2 -28 - 12 PH, STB . Ms Marino made the motion, seconded by Ms Thomas the following : BE IT RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of Ulysses approve the minutes of 01 -23 - 12 , 02- 14- 12 and 02-28 - 12 with the edits . Ms. Marino aye Ms . Thomas aye Ms . Tyler aye Mr. Kerness aye AdoptedREPORTS OF REPRESENTATIVES TOMPKINS COUNTY : BOARD (Jim Dennis) not present TRUMANSBURG FIRE DEPARTMENT & EMS not present TRUMANSBURG VILLAGE not present however Ms . Thomas had attended their last meeting . She mention the Town had researched and determined they could not form 2 j I r I / I I � I I s ,.I... I L . IN I If 1e 34IhP. l t . ., AAr } ..w 0 an ambulance district in time for this tax year. The Village had asked what the options are and she stated a shared services agreement, contract with Bangs, or an extension of the current contract. Ms Nottke also mentioned that the $2000 shortfall for the Youth Services budget was straightened out but the Village has yet to show an accounting of funds spent on Youth Services . TOWN HISTORIAN : Ms Dean stated she had reviewed the historical markers and determined there would be 9 to be taken down, sanded and painted andasked if this would be a job the highway department could take on . She spoke with other towns ' that did this and they found the blue and yellow automotive paint would sustain weather the best. Ms Thomas made the motion, seconded by Ms Marino the following : BE IT RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of Ulysses approve renovation of the Town Historical markers, the highway department will assist as needed and the Town will cover the cost of supplies . Ms. Marino aye Ms . Thomas aye Ms. Tyler aye Mr. Kerness aye Adopted WATER RESOURCE COUNCIL Mr. George stated he had attended the meeting the two areas of concern are Hydrilla and finding . The Hydrilla is especially worrisome as it could spread up the lake and into the other adjoining lakes . He did attend the Streams Committee meeting, they had a speaker from the USGS that presented a high tech mapping tool . It would provide valuable information as to projected impacts to streams . USGS is funding a match for an aquifer study. The Wetlands Committee is working on a wetlands law template for municipalities. Ms Marino stated she appreciated Mr. George ' s information, she was not sure for the future if they would want to report monthly or quarterly and via email or in person. The Board will discuss and advise him how to proceed . 7 : 30 PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR Ms . Hillman stated she would like to make the Town Board aware the church next to her residence is in bad shape . The one side in particular has wood siding off with insulation coming through. About 10 years ago Historic Ithaca evaluated the building for maintenance . They reported the building could be salvaged as long as regular maintenance was done . This is one of the few properties left from a particular bad period of Jacksonville ' s history. Exxon Mobil owns this property. The last time she had contact with them they advised her they would be selling the property. To date she has seen no indication of this. The Jacksonville Community Association would like to have the building and land donated they hope they could obtain funding for maintenance due to the Historic status . Mr. Kerness asked if the historic status of this building is known. Ms . Dean stated she believed it is on the New York State Register but not the Federal register. Ms . Geldenhuys noted the Zoning is weak for external upkeep requirements . She would suggest the review the historical aspect. 3 Ms . Hillman reported she had contacted them several years ago about the roof and they were responsive then. Ms Marino stated the Town would be willing to write a letter or do what they can to facilitate upkeep of this building . She asked Ms . Dean and Ms . Hillman to research and report back the historic information and other contact information they have. Both agreed they would get back to the Board. TOWN REPORTS 1 PLANNING BOARD / ZONING OFFICER Ms . Kiley pre j ented the following : Planning Board Report from March 6 , 2012 The PB discussed the Conservation and Lakeshore Zoning language — focusing on some steep slope isues and thresholds for site plan review. No BZA meeting in February, but they will be meeting on March 21 to hear 5 appeals . Stormwater Tomorrow is the Stormwater program audit/inspection. A Stormwater Management Program Plan was drafted and should be reviewed at a future Town Board meeting. Other Darby attended the Tompkins County Hazard Assessment at Tompkins County Health Department . The purpose of the workshop was to identify and prioritize our community's most significant hazards . New York State Emergency Management Office (SEMO) facilitated the Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment (HIRA) program. Wetlands A question came up at a Planning Board meeting regarding wetland areas the might fall under NYS jurisdiction. Darby spoke with someone at DEC to find out about the procedure for changing wetland maps . The procedure includes notification to landowners for access to property, wetland delineation to determine the boundaries , holding a public hearing and getting public comments before the wetland is added to the maps . REMINDER: Development Focus Areas Strategy for Tompkins County The County H411 present on March 27 at 7PM . HIGHWAY SUPERINTENDENT Mr. Meeker stated they had plowed and salted as needed. Hauling stone and completed the high intensity warning signs on the East Side of Route 96 . They have had several windy nights thus the crew spent a number of days clearing branches from the roads . The Seneca Road Bridge project is good to go . The Town and County are removing trees, the land is owned] by Robert Weatherby and he is aware of the project. He does not see an issue purchasing the right of way lands needed for this project. Once the County Surveyor does review they will contact TG Miller, he approximated the amount of land needed to be about a half acre . Once that work is done he will have Ms Geldenhuys handle the purchase . 1 TOWN CLERK no report CODE ENF 0 RCEMENT OFFICER no report SUPERVISOR Ms Marino distributed the Operating Statement. She has received a request from the Town Justices to employ Angela Champion additional hours per week. They have had an abnormally lairge caseload . She has been very helpful and conscientious of her work hours . The total cost is estimated to be about $ 1000 . They discovered they have the enhanced disability. policy thus are reimbursed up to $ 340 per week for their employees. This has helped offset the temporary work done to date. 4 n i i ie i y i { I t 1 � g {I Ili i N 1 i 1 i .� 8 � .� i1. ■ i i qr c ili i .t ¢ � .r1Rt 1 I (L� 11 Ir :WC 111411S1Pqk I • i . w1 Ms Marino made the motion, seconded by Ms Thomas the following : BE IT RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of Ulysses approve additional funds to compensate the temporary Court Clerk as requested by the Town Justices . Ms . Marino aye Ms . Thomas aye Ms. Tyler aye Mr. Kerness aye Adopted Ms Marino stated the year end reports are compiled and available in binders in the Town Clerk and Town Supervisor' s offices . Solar Liberty looked at the Town Hall for the solar project. It was noted the shingles on the roof are dated. Mr. Rachun stated he believed the shingles were already 20 years old. They determined they should consider replacing the roof prior to applying the solar panels . Mr. Rachun agreed to look into pricing for this work to be done . If over $35 ,000 would have to have competitive pricing . She noted Mr. Meeker would be taking the lead on the Town Barns . Mr. Meeker stated Ken Thompson had contacted him but no one but the solar company has . They had discussed ground panels however there are trees that would have to be removed. The trees are not on the town barn property. He is also concerned as the plan Mr. Thompson had were for the old barns . Mr. Meeker is contacting the contractor that built the new barns . DEPUTY SUPERVISOR Ms Thomas stated she had a brief report from the gas drilling task force regarding taxation. She would leave the report as a reference in the conference room. There is a speaker series on the 22nd in the Borg Warner Room at Tompkins Library at 5 pm . TCCOG has requested their gas drilling task force draft a letter and resolution regarding the use of brine in the county . The Association of Town Business meeting passed all but one of the resolutions she presented at last months meeting . They did not pass the Surcharge on Justices . They did add two resolutions that were not printed in the Association of Towns (AoT) newsletter. . The new resolutions and information were not available on the AoT website . Ms. Thomas attended a session at the AoT meetings about the dissolution of Seneca Falls, it is a very complex process, and oftentimes they would encounter problems they had not even considered in the planning stage e . g . the police force, processing of merger- debts/assets . TCCOG is working on potential cell towers locations . As the use of cell phones is increasing the demand for towers to be erected will also incresase . There is health risks associated with cell towers. Co-location of towers on buildings has been an issue . The municipality has to allow unless a hazard to the town. TCCOG is engaging with a consultant who contracts with a municipality to review their cable contracts . The company representatives are billing specialists who find uncollected fees. Ms. Thomas feels the Town work with this group to negotiate the renewal of the cable contract. TOWN BOARD MEMBERS AND COMMITTEES EMC 5 Ms Tyler stated they did a strategic planning session. Three items currently are reduce the use of plastic bags, encourage composting-solid waste pickup of food scraps, better distribution of information on invasive species, monitor and education about hydrofracking . Svante Myrick introduced and spoke at this meeting . He stated is interested in conserving and maintaining the city environment. He would like to have the city reduce energy use by 80% by 2015 . He would like to encourage housing in transit hubs, increase use of public transit, car share, bike paths, etc . i OLD BUSINESS COMPLIANCE WITH NEW OPEN MEETING LAW Ms Marino presented the language and resolution for the open meeting law requirements . Add to the agenda : " In compliance with the Public Officers Law section 103 and in the interests of fostering citizen understanding of issues and participation in Town governance, the Town Clerk will provide materials pertaining to any item on the agenda of a public body prior to the meeting upon 'request and as available at the time of the request, from 8 : 30 a.m. to 4 : 00 p .m. up to and including the day of the public body ' s meeting. Please indicate the desired format for the materials (electronic or hard copy) . A small number of extra copies of materials to be discussed at the meeting (unless the documents are extremely lengthy) will be available at the meeting and available upon request to the Town Clerk the day after the meeting . Hard copies of documents in excess of 5 (?) pages may have a per- page charge . Add to the website (small type somewhere) : " This website is updated periodically but not regularly and routinely each day. Contact Liz Thomas (?) or Marsha Georgia(?) with problems " Ms Thomas stated she felt this was a good foundation to start. They could add more as they decide . Ms Marino made the motion, seconded by Mr. Kerness the following : BE IT RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of Ulysses approve the Open Meeting wording as outlined above be incorporated into the Town procedures . Ms . Marino aye Ms . Thomas I aye Ms . Tyler ! aye Mr. Kerness aye Adopted i EMS Ms Marino stated they have to make a decision on basic information for public info meeting & date . Without an ambulance district formed in time in 2012 , the choices left for 2013 are to either , create a shared services agreement with the Village, extend the current contract with the Village, or use Bangs . The members discussed at length and all appreciate the idea of brainstorming but concerned taking the time to do that would be detrimental . The need to get information out to the public and gather input is crucial on how to proceed. The members decided to set the date for the Public Information meeting - as April 17' or April 18th, Ms Marino will verify dates with Mr. Romer. The members agreed they should send postcards and put poster/flyers in public venues such as the library, post office , etc . They reviewed their options and agreed they are limited . They need to finalize the PowerPoint presentation and prepare a one page handout for details on options . 6 I If 0 I 1, '1 F Y 71 lIt r ; 1 w ' i J !j^gl^yY . ,.. �~1 y X11.' j k-41,4 Ms Thomas is concerned with who would be presenting the information she stated she felt the person that presents the information should be finalizing the PowerPoint presentation. Each individual evaluates and prepares information differently. All of members have seen and will continue to be able to provide input, however she is concerned they will not be able to move forward . They are in a critical time to take action. Ms Thomas made the motion, seconded by Ms Tyler BE IT RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of Ulysses approve allowing the presenter of the PowerPoint presentation for EMS services final approval of content. Ms. Marino aye Ms . Thomas aye Ms . Tyler aye Mr. Kerness nay Adopted TOWN HALL MAINTENANCE CONTRACT Ms Marino made the motion, seconded by Mr. Kerness the following : WHEREAS occasionally the Town Hall is in need of maintenance and repairs, and WHEREAS said repairs should be done in a safe and professional manner by contractors who are skilled in their trade and are properly insured, and WHEREAS the Town has requested and reviewed bids from qualified professionals. THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of Ulysses accepts the proposed maintenance contract from Mainstay Builders for maintenance and repairs to the Town Hall that are beyond what can be reasonably done by Town Hall staff with the exception of those to the heating and air conditioning system. BE IT ALSO RESOLVED that the contract with Mainstay Builders be amended to have a termination date of 12/31 /2012 and a provision for a 60-day payment period, BE IT ALSO RESOLVED that the Town Board authorizes Supervisor Marino to sign the contract with Mainstay Builders . BE IT ALSO RESOLVED that any heating, air conditioning, plumbing and electrical work be done by a person properly certified in that field as approved by the Town Supervisor on the recommendation of the Code Enforcement Officer. Ms . Marino aye Ms. Thomas aye Ms . Tyler nay Mr. Kerness aye Adopted PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR-no comments offered NEW BUSINES SHARED SERVICES GRANT FOR HIGHWAY Ms Marino stated she had been contacted by Don Barber who had conducted meetings with others to develop this grant. They felt it would be an efficient/cost effective system 7 to implement as some towns do not have as much equipment or people . She had distributed the', resolution to participate . Mr. Meeker stated he had not been approached about this before, they had reviewed these years ago and he feels it is a waste of time . He is also concerned as this is between the Town Supervisor and the Town Highway Supervisor' s . He had been to road use meeting but nothing was mentioned regarding intermunicipal shared services . Ms Marino stated Don Barber had advised her Mr. Meeker had been going to meetings where this was discussed . Mr. Kerness as' ked if they could table this until Mr. Barber could meet with the Highway Superintendanits . Ms Marino stated there is a deadline to file the application, they need the resolution to by March 16th to participate . Mr. Marino made the motion, seconded by Ms Thomas the following : WHEREAS , the New York State Department of State has available funds for the 2011 - 2012 Local Government Efficiency Grant Program, and WHEREAS , this grant program can assist the Town of Ulysses in identifying opportunities to cooperate with other local governments in the area to reduce the cost of providing services, and WHEREAS , the cost to maintain local roadways and bridges represents a large share of all municipal and county budgets and property tax levies, and WHEREAS , at a time when the cost to maintain highway infrastructure is growing rapidly and local budgets are tightly constrained, it is increasingly difficult to maintain basic highway infrastructure at a cost that can be supported by local budgets, and f . i WHEREAS , the Town of Ulysses and its Local Municipal Highway Department would benefit from reducing the cost of adequately repairing and maintaining these roadways, and WHEREAS , a study to evaluate the County and Local Road System and identify areas where inter-miunicipal cooperation, shared services, or redistributions of responsibilities could result is a more efficient system of providing quality highway services and lower costs for the repair and maintenance of existing roads, and WHEREAS , the Town of Ulysses on behalf of its citizens, supports this effort and grant application for approximately $ 100,000, with a required local cash match of 10% that shall be allocated among the participating municipalities . RESOLVED , that the Town of Ulysses supports the County and Local Road Local Government Efficiency Grant Program application, and FURTHER RESOLVED , that the Town of Ulysses agrees, if awarded, to participate and assist in all phases of the County and Local Road Shared Service Local Government Efficiency Grant Study. Ms . Marino aye Ms . Thomas aye Ms . Tyler abstain Mr. Kerness abstain Motion failed PROPOSED EMPLOYEE BUS PASS BENEFIT 8 i _ s:4• • 54 , Ms Thomas made the motion, Mr. Kerness seconded the following : WHEREAS , the Town of Ulysses seeks to encourage the use of the Tompkins County Area Transit (TCAT) system to help reduce traffic, petroleum use, air pollution and greenhouse gases, and WHEREAS , due to recent funding cuts, TCAT was required to increase it fares which provides a disincentive for users to ride the bus, and WHEREAS , a subsidized bus pass employee benefit provides an incentive to encourage increased use of the TCAT system, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Town of Ulysses offers a Bus Pass Benefit to its employees as follows : A Bus Pass Benefit is available to all Town of Ulysses who travel to and from work at any town office (town hall or highway barn) primarily during the regularly scheduled hours of the TCAT bus service . The value of the benefit paid shall not exceed the 50% of an annual Zone 2 bus pass . Employees not using the bus service on a regular basis are encouraged to purchase 15 -ride cards as needed rather than an annual bus pass . The town will reimburse employees 50% for ride cards and will purchase the annual pass for the employee . A written request for the Bus Pass Benefit needs to be made to the Supervisor ' s Office . BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Town Clerk update the Town of Ulysses Personnel Policy with the Bus Pass Benefit language from this resolution and provide a copy to all employees . Ms . Marino aye Ms . Thomas aye Ms . Tyler aye Mr. Kerness aye Adopted RIFLE HUNTING Ms . Thomas made the motion, seconded by Ms . Tyler the following : WHEREAS the Tompkins County Legislature has been asked to request from the State permission for hunters to use rifles to hunt big game within the County and WHEREAS rifles have the capability to shoot bullets that can travel miles in distance compared to the shorter distance of the currently allowed shotguns and WHEREAS shotguns have the advantage of requiring closer contact with the intended target, thus improving better identification of the target and what is behind it and WHEREAS for decades hunters have successfully used shotguns for killing big game and WHEREAS there is no compelling need to introduce longer-shooting rifles for big game and WHEREAS the Town of Ulysses, while relatively rural , has residential properties in close proximity to hunting areas which creates a safety issue from the possibility of people and property being affected by stray bullets and 9 WHEREAS the use of rifles may prompt some property owners to deny access to their land for hunting thereby potentially leading to an increase in already high deer populations . Now therefore be it RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of Ulysses expresses its opposition to permitting big game hunting with rifles in Tompkins County and FURTHER RESOLVED that the Town Board recommends to the County Legislature that it not request permission from the State to allow big game hunting with rifles and C FURTHER RESOLVED that this resolution be immediately conveyed by the Town Clerk to the Tompkins County Legislature . Ms . Marino aye Ms . Thomas aye Ms . Tyler aye Mr. Kerness aye Adopted REVISION TO RULES OF PROCEDURE FOR MEETINGS Ms Marino stated she would like to table this until the next meeting due to the length of this meeting . The members agreed this would be acceptable. She noted that they are inconsistent at times . She informed the members she had ordered Roberts Rules of Orders for the each member however they had not arrived yet . Ms . Marino will distribute her edits for others to review. Ms. Marino noted at this point the agenda for the next meeting of March 27th would be Joan Jerkowicz, Computer Security Policy and the EMS Presentation. The members r agreed this is the agenda to date . Mr. Kerness asked what the dollar amount of the donation for legal services is to date . Ms Marino stated she would get the donation amount from the Ms . Bouchard for the next meeting . Ms. Thomas made the motion, seconded by Mr. Kerness to adjourn. The meeting was adjourned at 91: 43 pm. Respectfully siubmitted, Robin Carlisle Peck Zoning/Plannng Secretary I 1 10